PUTRAJAYA, 7 April 2009: Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today his retirement will enable him to do the things that he did not have the chance to do previously.

“The choice is mine now,” said the former prime minister, adding that he did not have any problem adapting to his new lifestyle.

“I have fun and there are advantages. There were many things that I could not do previously. In the past, I had to read papers, working papers, memorandums and now, I have a lot of time to read books and drive the car.

“I actually love to drive cars,” he said in his short speech at a luncheon with the Putrajaya media organised by his former officers in the Corporate Communications Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, here today.

Also present was his wife, Tun Jeanne Abdullah.

Abdullah also pointed out that he was still the same person as before.

He also expressed his appreciation to the media for the cooperation rendered to him and urged them to continue their career as the main provider of information to the people.

He said he placed great value on the deeds contributed by the journalists throughout his career in the administration from the time he was first appointed parliamentary secretary right up to the time he became prime minister.

“I wish you all do well and progress to the highest position that you can achieve.

“Take care because being journalists; you are sometimes faced with certain difficulties. You know very well,” he told the press. — Bernama